Puzzle



(No Model.)

W. M. GBYER.

PUZZLE.

No. 586,683. Patented July 20, 1897.

Mzwm/ ffy @@@v'wg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

YIIILIAM M. GEYER, OF NORRISTOYN, PENNSYLVANIA.

PUZZLE.

SPECIFICATION' forming part of Letters Patent No. 586,683, dated July 20, 1897.

Application 'filed September 19, 1896. Serial No. 606,365. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM M. GEYER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Norristown, in the county of Montgomery and State of Pemisylvania,have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Puzzles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new, amusing, and instructive puzzle, and has for its object to provide such a device which will render endless amusement to both old and young as well as the instruction and training for both the eye and the hand.

IVith these ends in view my invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set fortl1,and then specifically designated by the claim.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains Inay understand how to make and use the same, I Will describe its construction and operation in detail, referring to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,in which- Figure l is aperspective of the embodiment of my improved game; Fig. 2, a plan view thereof, the balls being shown in their several positions.

In carrying out this invention I provide a tray A, which is preferably of rectangular shape and of such a depth as to preclude the possibility of the balls which are used therein `'from falling out of the same. Vithin this tray is formed an outer court B by the par titions C, which run parallel with the sides of the tray, as clearly shown. Through the side lengths of this partition are formed thirteen openings, as indicated at D and E, for the purpose hereinafter set forth. A similar openingF is formed in the two partitions and is preferably somewhat wider than the firstnamed openings.

Two partitions G of compound curvature divide the inner court into two sections, the rear section being smaller than the forward section and having formed upon the bottom thereof thirteen depressions II for the retention of the like number of balls, (indicated in Fig. 2 by 1,) and passage-way between the two sections of the inner court is formed at I by the partitions G in meeting at this point. The forward-section of the inner court has located therein a series of circular partitions J, with openings there through, so as to produce a run-around within the first partition. Upon the bottom thereof is formed a depression L for the reception and retention of the ball 2, which is consid erably larger than balls 1. Within the remaining partitions J are located the depressions Q, which are thirteen in number, and for the reception and retention of the balls 3. Again, within the forward section of the inner court and in the opposite corners thereof are located two run-arounds M and N, which are formed by circular partitions and depressions located in the center of these runaronnds. lVhile the partitions are here shown as having the openings from top to bottom, it is obvious that these openings may be archways, thus adding strength to said partitions.

From this description the operation of the puzzle, which I call The Thirteen Hoodoo Pnzzle,7 will be obviously as follows: The puzzle represents the Convention Hall at St. Louis, with thirteen exits on each side. In the rear end will be found a picture-gallery for the thirteen scattered pictures, which are represented by the smallest balls l. The center run-around is the place for the thirteen delegates represented by the thirteen balls 3. The run-arounds M and N are for the Presi dent and Vice-President, respectively, represented by the balls at and 5, and ball 2 represents the chairman of the convention. After the chairman has placed the scattered pictures, seated all the delegates, the President and VicePresident, he finally takes his own seat, which is in front of the delegates.

The object of the game is, therefore, to put all the balls in the rear, then hold the tray in the two hands with the rear court toward you, incline the box, thus causing the ball to roll in the outer court and allowing the proper balls to enter the proper places-as, for instance, the balls l to enter through the openings D, the balls 3 through the openings E, and the balls et and 5 through openings F, as also the balls 2. This will'require much patience and effort in order to gain sufficient practice both of eye and hand to manipulate the tray so as to bring about the desired re- IOO sult, thus pleasantly consuming considerable length of time, While at the saine time instructing and amusing both old and young.

After the puzzle has been once solved it will be as diflioult of solution as before, so that the interest therein will not fiag, though it is used indefinitely.

The cost of manufacture of a puzzle made in accordance with my improvement is small7 since the/tray may be made of paper or pasteboard, as Well as the several partitions thereof all maybe provided with a cover for the retention of the balls when shipping or storing.

Having thus fully described Tuy-invention,

what I claim as ne and useful is In a puzzle, a rectangular tray, partitions running parallel With the outer wall, said partitions having thirteen openings formed in A two parallel sides, one of the end partitions hav-ing a single opening formed therein of greater Width than the first-named openings, a run-around formed in the center of the'tray, said run-around being composed of circular partitions arranged -concentrically and each partition havin g two openings formed therein at diametrically opposite points so that no tWo openings register, run-arounds formed in the two corners on the inner court, two curved partitions extending from each side around the central run-around, said partitions terminating ashort distance from each other leaving an opening, the bottom of the tray having thirteen depressions formed around the last tWo partitions, thirteen larger depressions formed in the central run-around and still larger depressions formed in the c0rner run-arounds and the outer court of the central run-around three series of balls of different sizes adapted to iit in the depressions of corresponding size, `substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in the presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses.

WILLIAM M. GEYER. lVitnesses:

FLORENCE E. SHAW, A. B. SEIPT. 

